Happy Birthday LaNea

LaNea has had quite the Birthday ~ 3 parties ~ And we were able to attend 2 of them.

Jill threw quite the party.

Delicious Monkey Cake

Pink and Green Cupcakes

Handmade Sock Monkeys, aren't they adorable?

Chocolate covered Pretzels ~ always a favorite

Gifts galore

Darling Pom Poms

Going with the theme ~ Chocolate Covered Bananas

The Birthday Girl

Yummmm ~ Cake!!

Little Quirks

When we travel, for no rational reason I like to look for the Steenblik name in the phone book, then I look to see how many LDS wards are listed.  I'd look up Jackson, but the name is so common that everyone has them and theres no really discovery of surprise when you find them, and besides, who knows if we are related or not.  But Steenblik is different, we are related.

When we traveled to Mammoth Lake, I didn't find any Steenblik's but I thought this was a close 2nd; Heidi and Dan Steenstra.

Easy Rider

This was the last weekend Logan thought the weather would be suitable for a motorcycle ride in the mountains, he said he wanted to see the changing color of the leaves, he really wanted to ride along a winding road.   As we ventured higher and higher all I saw were pine trees, pine trees of various types, oh yes - my favorite bush - sage brush, I don't think I'll ever get enough sage brush in my life time.

We left Friday and headed to Mammoth Lakes.  Thank goodness for all the warm weather gear, as the day worn on the elevation went higher, the temperature gage on the bike went lower.  By the time we arrived in Mammoth Lakes it was 57 degrees.   The next morning Logan took me to the Minaret Mountain Vista outlook to see this beautiful mountain range, at 51 degrees.   

Wow - So sexy in all layered up - Not!

Below is a view of the fault line that runs through the area.  It was about 30 feet deep. 

Of course there were trees changing color.  The aspen groves dot the landscape and are breath taking.  Or is that the cold air and high altitude?  It was a great get-a-way and to see part of California that is off the main path of travel. 

 

Brittany and Brett  - when you move back here this is where you want to fly fish.  The streams are plentiful, the bears are abundant, scenery is stunning and motorcycles are the ride that rules the road.

Lake Travis

On Sept 2nd, Logan and I headed to Houston for the blessing of Jaden and a weekend at Brenda and Alan's Lake Houses on Lake Travis in Austin.  We were treated to luxurious beds, plenty of bathrooms, great food, a gorgeous lake, beautiful granddaughters and grandson and breath taking sunsets.   

The First night there, Kevin and the girls headed to the lake for their nightly swim.   

The following morning, while the lake was still calm and the traffic was slow, Kevin challenged Brittany and Jill to swim across the lake.  A dare is a dare and off they went, while Logan and Eric with Halli and Peyton tagging along hopped on the jet skis to keep boaters clear of the girls while they were swimming.  Later Kevin admitted he hasn't swam across the lake.  Now he's the one challenged.  

Notice the house across the lake is for sale ~  hmmmmm.

The jet skis were definitely the favorite toy of the weekend.  Halli was always on the look out for her daddy coming in so she could get a ride on the jet ski.  I don't think she rode with anyone else.

And Kevin's favorite spin out spot was right in front of the boat house.  

The heavily used pathway from the houses to the boathouse.  It was a constant back and forth pattern.

This beauty below is only 7! 

Not 14.

And Lexie was only allowed this far without someone with her. 

After lunch we celebrated the birthdays. 

Love the cupcakes!

Especially LaNea, she had more than her share of cake this weekend. April did a birthday cake smash for her 1st Birthday. Click here to see the beautiful photos.

Peyton had her real birthday the following day.  She received a bike which Halli loved helping her ride, Peyton wasn't too sure about it though.

Ashlyn bathed in the kitchen sink and LOVED IT!

LaNea loves being tossed in the air.

April loved all the adults around to tend her kids and gave her a chance to take a spin on the jet skis.

Halli and Peyton were always on the look out for a ride and Grandpa Logan was more than happy to offer a ride.

The big red water slide did come out for the girls to play in.  It took Ashlyn a little getting use to.

Lexie was consuling Ashlyn assuring her it's okay.

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I can't say these were LaNea's first steps, but they were her first steps captured on camera

And daddy was making a funny face he was so excited she was attempting to walk, but LeNea looks so happy I had to post it.

Thank goodness for air conditioning and a place to play inside.

Love those eyes. 

Last night on the Lake, another nightly swim, until the little fishies started nibbling.

Hours before the long drive home, Jill and Eric and LaNea heading out on the jet ski....and they didn't get too far, notice LaNea looks a little apprehensive.

Yup, they ended up in the lake, it took a minute or two but LaNea didn't think it was too bad.

Go here for April's take on the lake.

The drive home was long and the roads crowded, but we got there in time to clean up and dress for Jaden's blessing. 

And why I don't have picture of me and all the girls I don't know....

But I did get one with LaNea. 

Life Goes On....

The following are little tidbits of what has taken place this summer ~ 

Once again we were broken into.  I was in Houston and Logan was on a job in Mammoth Lakes.  He's resentfully put up with the burglar alarm and has told me when I am gone he doesn't set it.  Thank goodness he did this time.  When the intruder triggered it, he turned and went out this same window he broke.  The only damage was the old broken window.  I am thankful for Angie Reyes who dropped what she had going and walked around the house and stayed while the Sheriff's department searched the house. And I am thankful for David Wilson who came late that night and put up the wood window. 

 We loved traveling with Ashlyn and Britt back to our place for a week away from loneliness, while her husband was away.  (Of course this was the weekend his boss wanted him to come home and help with some TI work....timing is everything sometimes).

Such a brave girl, not even a whimper while her stitches were removed.  She said next time she wants pink stitches. 

A rare cool evening in Houston. 

Celebrating Brittany's birthday.  She loves Neapolitan..therefore the Neapolitan cake.